Chinese car brands secure 10% of UK vehicle market as drivers invest in BYD, Jaecoo, Omoda and more

Chinese car brands have made up more than one in 10 new vehicle sales so far this year, as drivers flock towards more affordable prices and impressive technology.

Over the last five months, Chinese car brands have secured 10.6 per cent of the total new vehicle market share across the UK.

Based on data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Chinese automakers have sold 80,960 vehicles between January and the end of April.

Popular car brands include BYD, Changan, Chery, Geely, GWM, Jaecoo, Leapmotor, Omoda, Skywell, and Xpeng.

BYD, one of the best-selling car companies in the world, is the most popular Chinese brand in the UK, having registered 29,396 new vehicles.

It has captured an impressive 3.45 per cent of the new vehicle market, and recorded a 124 per cent spike in year-on-year sales.

BYD is looking to introduce new models to the UK market, in addition to launching its sister brands, namely Denza and its ultra-rapid Flash Charging network.

It recently unveiled the Denza Z9GT, which will have an electric range of 373 miles and can charge from 10 to 70 per cent in just five minutes.

Even when charging from 10 to 97 per cent, drivers will have to wait just nine minutes, while charging in freezing -30C temperatures will take only 12 minutes.

BYD has confirmed that it will look to roll out Flash Chargers and the Denza electric hypercar across Europe over the coming months.

Other Chinese brands have secured impressive sales, especially among the Chery organisation, including Jaecoo (22,789 sales), Omoda (12,324 sales) and Chery (10,977 sales).

Chery International UK has surpassed a combined six per cent market share in April for the first time since entering the UK market less than two years ago.

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The Jaecoo 7 has quickly become a fan favourite in the UK, with it ranking third in the list of best-selling cars so far this year.

Motorists can get their hands on the Jaecoo 7 from £29,210 for the hybrid model, £30,165 for the petrol version, and £35,175 for the plug-in hybrid.

Commenting on the success of the brands under the Chery International umbrella, CEO Gary Lan described it as a "significant milestone" which reflected the strength of its lineup.

He added: "Chery International made a deliberate decision to wait more than 20 years before entering the UK market, ensuring we had the right technology, the right products and the right foundations in place."

"We may still be at an early stage of our journey in the UK, but the direction is clear."

Chery International is planning to launch a new brand, Lepas, later this year, with hopes of replicating the success of other Chery brands with the new Lepas L8.

Sales of Chinese car brands in the UK so far this year

BYD - 26,396

Jaecoo - 22,789

Omoda - 12,324

Chery - 10,977

Leapmotor - 3,676

Geely - 3,244

Changan - 969

Xpeng - 441

GWM - 125

Skywell - 19